Meet Maryrose Capko: Serving and Supporting Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones
W
hile each person handles the Colorado State University. loss of a loved one differently, “All losses are different,” she the challenges and emotions says. “Child loss is unique in that surrounding grief are universal. it’s the wrong order. As a parent, Maryrose Capko has made it a you have never held your baby mission of hers to support those and thought you would bury this who are grieving a loss. She is child.” trained to support those going All of the sessions are open to through grief. anyone and attendees need not Maryrose’s motivation and be Catholic. Maryrose wants to driving force for carrying out this encourage people to reach out to important work stems from the one of the groups if needed, and loss she and her husband, Jerry, no one should feel that they must suffered when their son, Jack, go through loss alone. Others also passed away in 2011. find individual counseling sessions “Back in 2011, there was to be more meaningful to them. nothing for child loss in this area,” “It helps to talk with people Maryrose says. “I drove as far as who have similar experiences,” she Maryrose Capko has made it her Monticello to find a grief support says. mission to help those grieving a loss. group for parents.” To be certified as a Grief Care Maryrose leads a Bereaved Parents Support Provider, Maryrose went through five, week-long Group which meets on the third Thursday of each classes in Fort Collins, Colo. She says this is the month at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Home, and she “perfect” way to honor Jack’s memory. also leads a group in Sartell. This past May, she In the face of great loss, Maryrose hopes to offer led Grief Support Sessions also at Emblom-Brenny at least some help to those who are suffering. Each Funeral Service in Little Falls. These were open to person handles things differently, so she cannot anyone who has experienced the death of a friend necessarily teach a person how to go through a or a loved one. More sessions are being planned for loss. However, she is there to listen, facilitate and the fall. give suggestions. She hopes the groups are a way The couple’s son, Jared, is 26, and Jack would for people to connect and keep the support going. have been 19 and graduated from high school this “Our faith is to help others — Jesus came to past spring. serve,” Maryrose says. “We are not supposed to live “It doesn’t get any easier,” Maryrose says. “It our lives just for ourselves.” gets different. Life has forever changed.” Besides carrying out this important grief Given her own experiences with loss and grief, support work, Maryrose also does custom leading other parents through the loss of a child leatherwork, fixes shoes for Bermel’s Shoes & is so important to Maryrose. In fact, she recently Boots in Randall, and serves as a substitute received a certificate as a Grief Care Provider from teacher. Jerry is a dairy farmer.
If you would like to learn more about the various ways to access grief support, please contact Maryrose Capko at 320-360-1468 or Maryrosecapko@gmail.com. 7
